Schools around the state have been forced to dismiss students early during some of the hotter days. On Thursday, 50 Iowa schools ended early.

As long as the school day last for 5.5 hours, schools do not have to make up for the lost class time. However, with the frequency that some schools have had early dismissal this month, students will lose substantial schooling if no school days are added.

A map released Tuesday by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that, though all of Iowa remains under a status of at least “severe” drought, the amount of area categorized as under “extreme” drought as receded slightly.

This new map reflects the heavy rainfall that fell on southern and southeast Iowa last week.

Like this:

Here’s a gallery of the Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve in Grinnell. Krumm contains miles of trails winding through 50 acres of reconstructed prairie. It’s a great spot for walking, running, bird watching and fishing. For details on Krumm, including how to get there, click here.